The sower 1903

Albin Egger-Lienz’s “The Sower” shows a lone figure captured in muted earth tones, performing the simple act of sowing seeds. It's kind of like an Old Master’s painting, but brought into the 20th century. I imagine Egger-Lienz outside in a field, trying to capture the movement of the sower’s arm with thick, deliberate brushstrokes. You can almost feel the weight of the seed bag and the rhythmic scattering across the field. The texture is palpable; the earth appears rough and furrowed, each stroke building up a sense of depth. There is a feeling for Millet in this painting, but also something new. The way he simplifies form, almost to the point of abstraction. It’s like Egger-Lienz is in conversation with painters past and present, each contributing to this ongoing story of what painting can be.